Small Angle Neutron Scattering as fingerprinting of ancient potteries from Sicily (Southern Italy)

The mesoscopic structure of numerous samples of Archaic Ionian Cups found in different archaeological sitesof Sicily was non-invasively investigated by means of small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Similar values ofthe mesoscopic structural parameters, radius of gyration and fractal dimension of the interfaces of theinvestigated potteries, testify a similar manufacturing technique. Many samples showed mesoscopic planaranisotropy probably due to some external mechanical stress during forging. Similar porosity was found for allthe studied ceramics and appeared in general agreement with the Hg porosimetry values. Finally, the firingtemperatures were estimated by comparison with raw materials fired under controlled conditions.